SB391 Alabama 2018 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tim MelsonSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2018
Title: Education, public schools, grades 6 to 12, allow elective courses on the study of the Bible and display artifacts, monuments, symbols, and text related to the study of the Bible, State Board of Education to implement rules and policies
Summary: SB 391 would let Alabama public schools offer elective Bible study courses for grades 6–12 and display Bible-related artifacts when tied to those courses, with state rules to guide implementation.
What This Bill Does
It allows public schools to offer elective Bible study courses in grades six through twelve, including Old Testament, New Testament, or both. It allows display of artifacts, monuments, symbols, and texts related to the Bible if the display supports the course's educational purpose, with the State Board of Education required to adopt implementing rules. It requires teachers to follow religious neutrality rules and not endorse or oppose any religion, and allows principals to authorize displays when they are part of an approved course and instructional material.

Who It Affects
Students in grades 6–12, who may take Bible study electives and view related materials in class.
Public schools, school districts, and teachers, who must implement the electives and manage Bible-related displays while following neutrality requirements.

Key Provisions
Elective Bible study courses in grades 6–12 covering Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures, New Testament, or both.
Course goals to teach Bible content, history, literary style, and its influence on law, history, government, culture, art, music, and morals.
Display of Bible-related artifacts, monuments, symbols, and texts allowed when linked to a course and appropriate to the educational purpose; principal may authorize such displays.
State Board of Education must adopt rules and policies to implement the act and ensure compliance with constitutional and federal/state law; teachers must follow neutrality guidelines.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Education